Free VIN Decoder: Get Vehicle Specifications by VIN Number Lookup
Not sure what a vehicle really is? Enter the VIN to find out instantly. This free VIN decoder shows the year, make, model, engine, transmission, and essential specifications so you can verify listings and avoid costly mistakes.
What is a VIN Number?
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly called a VIN, is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle. It was first introduced in 1950 and later standardized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 1981 to create a consistent way to identify vehicles.
Each VIN encodes important details such as the manufacturer, country of origin, model, engine type, and serial number. This information is used for tracking registrations, recalls, thefts, and sales, and for verifying a vehicle’s authenticity and history. To avoid confusion, VINs do not include the letters I, O, or Q.
What Information Does a VIN Decoder Show?
A VIN decoder shows how a vehicle was originally built, based on the VIN assigned at the factory. The details come from the VIN itself, not from listings or assumptions.
Vehicle Specifications You Can Decode From a VIN
When you decode a VIN, you are looking at the vehicle’s actual specifications, not generic model information. These specs help confirm what the vehicle really is, which is especially useful when details matter or something feels off.
Basic Vehicle Identification
These details confirm the vehicle’s core identity and help verify that listings and documents match the actual car. They are often the first things buyers check when comparing vehicles.
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Trim
- Body type
- Country of manufacture
Engine and Powertrain Details
This section explains how the vehicle is powered and how that power is delivered to the wheels. It is especially useful for confirming engine options, drivetrain setups, and hybrid or electric components.
- Engine size and specifications
- Engine configuration
- Engine model and description
- Displacement
- Valve train design
- Transmission style
- Drive type
- Fuel type
- Electrical powertrain
- Electrical specifications
- Traction battery
- Range extender
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity
These specifications describe the vehicle’s physical size and how much it can safely carry or tow. They help determine usability, garage fit, and load limits.
- Exterior dimensions
- Interior dimensions
- Cargo dimensions
- Ground clearance
- Weight
- Number of doors
- Seating capacity
- Standard seating
- Tank capacity
Safety, Emissions, and Compliance
This information highlights safety equipment and regulatory classifications tied to the vehicle. It is useful for understanding compliance, inspection requirements, and environmental standards.
- Front airbag information
- Seat belt type
- Tire pressure and size
- Braking system
- Emissions data
- EPA class
Chassis, Suspension, and Handling
These details relate to how the vehicle rides, steers, and performs in different driving conditions. They are especially helpful for towing, off-road use, or performance-focused vehicles.
- Suspension
- Steering
- Wheels
- Trailering capability
- Off-road attributes
Pricing and Factory Data
This section reflects original factory pricing and cost-related information when available. It helps buyers and sellers understand how the vehicle was priced when new.
- MSRP
- Delivery charges
Looking for More Than Specifications?
A VIN decoder shows how a vehicle was built, but it does not show what happened after it left the factory. A full vehicle history report adds context by showing records tied to the vehicle’s real-world use.
With a full report, you can see details such as:
- Reported accident and damage records
- Title history and title brand information
- Theft and recovery records
- Mileage readings over time
- Ownership and registration events
- Salvage, rebuilt, or write-off records
- Lien or loan records
- Open recalls and safety issues
Why Use a VIN Decoder Before Buying or Selling a Vehicle?
See what the car really is
Listings do not always show everything, especially when features, trims, or engines are described loosely or incorrectly. Decoding the VIN fills in those gaps by showing the vehicle’s original configuration.
Pick up on warning signs
When specifications do not match what the seller is claiming, it is usually worth slowing down and taking a closer look. That pause gives you time to ask better questions.
Avoid buying blind
Knowing the real details helps you feel more confident about what you are buying and why it is priced the way it is. It also removes a lot of doubt that often comes from incomplete or unclear listings.
Double-check before posting
Running the VIN helps confirm important details before publishing a listing and responding to early buyer inquiries. This simple step can prevent corrections and confusion later.
Make buyers more comfortable
Clear and accurate specifications help buyers trust what they are seeing instead of second-guessing the information provided. When trust is higher, conversations tend to move faster.
Keep things simple
Accurate information from the start means fewer changes are needed once the listing is live. This makes the entire process easier and avoids confusion as the sale progresses.
Speed up daily tasks
VIN decoding reduces the need to manually verify specifications across multiple systems or documents. Over time, that saved effort adds up and improves efficiency.
Clean up listings
Correct specifications prevent confusion when vehicles are advertised across different platforms or channels. Confusion slows deals down and creates avoidable friction with buyers.
Stay consistent
Verified VIN data helps maintain consistency across sales, appraisals, trade-ins, and internal records. That consistency supports smoother workflows and fewer errors overall.
How Do I Find the VIN Number for My Vehicle?
You can easily find the VIN for any vehicle on the driver’s side dashboard. Look through the windshield on the driver’s side. The VIN is often visible from outside the vehicle on a metal plate at the bottom of the windshield.
You can also find the VIN on the:
Driver’s Side Door Jamb
Open the driver’s door and look for a sticker or metal plate near the latch area that lists the VIN and other vehicle details.
Engine Block
Some manufacturers stamp the VIN directly onto the engine block, which is more common on older vehicles or performance models.
Under the Hood
Check the firewall, radiator support, or strut towers for a stamped VIN or manufacturer label.
Vehicle Trunk
In some cars, the VIN may appear under the trunk lid, near the spare tire well, or on a body panel inside the trunk.
Vehicle Registration Documents
Your registration card or certificate always lists the VIN exactly as recorded by the DMV.
Insurance Documents
Insurance policies and proof-of-insurance cards include the VIN used to identify the covered vehicle.
VIN Decoder for All Types of Vehicles
A VIN decoder can save the day if you’re in the market to buy or sell a vehicle and can’t seem to get enough information. With our VIN number lookup, anyone can gain full access to the specifications and features of any used or new vehicle.
What makes it better than others? Our VIN decoder offers access to all sorts of vehicles that others can’t
Our VIN decoder not only decodes standard 17-character VINs but also classic VINs with 5–14 characters. We decode data to the exact trim, providing a plethora of unique information about that specific vehicle.
Not only that, but you also get access to detailed specifications, including but not limited to year, make, model, engine, transmission, braking suspensions, wheels, fuel type, and more.
Free VIN Decoder vs. Vehicle History Report by VIN
Looking to take it a step further? You can use our paid VIN decoder service for a detailed vehicle history report. A vehicle history report gives access to records of vehicles, including accident records, damages, title brand records, theft records, and more.
Free VIN Decoder |
Vehicle History Report |
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|---|---|---|
| Free VIN decoding for all vehicle types | ||
| Year, make, model, trim | ||
| Full vehicle specifications | ||
| Market Value based on condition | ||
| Sales listings | ||
| Auction records | ||
| Mileage during auction/sales | ||
| History Records | ||
| Theft records | ||
| Owner records | ||
| Salvage records | ||
| Title brand records | ||
| Odometer rollback | ||
| Lien and loan records | ||
| Vehicle usage | ||
| Service history | ||
| Open recalls |
How to Decode Your Vehicle's VIN -
VIN Decoder Guide
Have you been wondering what the numbers and letters in a VIN mean? Well, let’s break it down for you. Each character in the VIN represents specific information about the vehicle. Before we go into the details, the table below lists what each character represents:
VIN Digit
- 1st digit
- 2nd digit
- 3rd digit
- 4th - 8th digit
Meaning
- Country
- Manufacturer
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle Features
VIN Digit
- 9th digit
- 10th digit
- 11th digit
- 12th - 17th digits
Meaning
- Check digit
- Model year
- Assembly Plant
- Serial Number
The VIN is divided into three sections: WMI, VDS, and VIS. Understanding these sections helps access important information about any car.
The 3 Main VIN Sections
The VIN is divided into three sections: WMI, VDS, and VIS. Understanding these sections helps access important information about any car.
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters of the VIN number represent the WMI. They uniquely identify the Country of origin, vehicle manufacturer, and vehicle type.
For example, cars with VINs beginning with 1, 4, and 5 are manufactured in the United States. If you find the WMI to be “1G2”, 1G represents General Motors in the United States, and 1G2 stands for Pontiac passenger cars.
The table below shows some WMI Codes:
| Character | Region | Country |
|---|---|---|
| A-H | Africa | AA-AH = South Africa |
| J-R | Asia | J = Japan/ KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan |
| S-Z | Europe | SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy |
| 1-5 | North America | 1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico |
| 6-7 | Oceania | 6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand |
| 8-0 | South America | 8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia |
Learn more about the country of origin of your vehicle through our VIN country codes.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Following the WMI, characters 4 through 8 constitute the VDS, offering detailed information about the vehicle’s attributes. This section includes the model, body style, engine type, and transmission. The 9th digit is the check digit. It is obtained from a mathematical formula that uses several characters from the rest of the VIN. A check code can expose fake VINs and vehicles when decoded with a VIN decoder.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The Vehicle identifier section covers the rest of the VIN characters from the 10th to 17th characters. The 10th digit represents the model year and can be used to tell when a vehicle rolled off the assembly plant.
The 11th digit identifies the manufacturing plant where the vehicle was assembled, and the 12th to 17th digits are the vehicle’s serial number.
VIN Number to Year Chart Code
Each VIN includes a character that identifies the vehicle’s model year. A VIN year chart helps translate that code into the correct production year.
How VIN Year Codes Work
For standard 17-character VINs, the model year is shown in the 10th character. The table below shows how each letter or number corresponds to a specific year.
- A 1980
- B 1981
- C 1982
- D 1983
- E 1984
- F 1985
- G 1986
- H 1987
- J 1988
- K 1989
- L 1990
- M 1991
- N 1992
- P 1993
- R 1994
- S 1995
- T 1996
- V 1997
- W1998
- X 1999
- Y 2000
- 1 2001
- 2 2002
- 3 2003
- 4 2004
- 5 2005
- 6 2006
- 7 2007
- 8 2008
- 9 2009
- A 2010
- B 2011
- C 2012
- D 2013
- E 2014
- F 2015
- G 2016
- H 2017
- J 2018
- K 2019
- L 2020
- M 2021
- N 2022
- P 2023
- R 2024
- S 2025
- T 2026
- V 2027
- W2028
- X 2029
- Y 2030
- 1 2031
- 2 2032
- 3 2033
- 4 2034
- 5 2035
- 6 2036
- 7 2037
- 8 2038
- 9 2039
Learn more about the model year in your VIN through our VIN to year chart.
Not all VIN decoders show the same level of detail. Ours is built to give clear, VIN-specific information that helps people verify vehicles quickly and accurately.
Some reasons why we stand out are:
Accurate VIN-Based Results
Every result is matched to the exact VIN entered, helping reduce errors caused by generic data.
Works With More VIN Types
Supports standard VINs and older or non-standard formats across different vehicle types.
Instant VIN Decoding
VINs are decoded in seconds, so you can check vehicle details without waiting or extra steps.
Clean, Readable Output
Information is shown in a structured format that is easy to scan. This makes it useful on both desktop and mobile.
Built for Everyday Use
Useful for buyers, sellers, and dealers who need reliable vehicle details.
24/7 Customer Support
If something looks unclear or you need help, customer support is available to assist with your VIN lookup.
How VIN Year Codes Work
Standard VIN decoders work well for modern vehicles, but classic cars often use shorter or non-standard VIN formats. If you are checking an older vehicle, our Classic VIN Decoder is built specifically for pre-1981 VINs and classic models.
It helps identify original factory specifications, production details, and configuration information that modern VIN tools often cannot read correctly.
Alfa Romeo
AM General
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Daewoo
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
KIA
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Maybach
Mazda
Mclaren
Mercedes Benz
Mercury
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Panoz
Plymouth
Polestar
Pontiac
Porsche
RAM
Rolls Royce
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Tesla
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo
Enter the VIN above to view detailed vehicle specifications tied directly to that exact vehicle. It only takes a few seconds and gives you clear, factual results.
FAQ About VIN Number Lookup
Can I check a VIN for free?
There is no service online offering free to get the original window sticker lookup by VIN. Detailed window sticker information requires premium services, so it’s advisable to check these service providers to compare their prices.
What is a VIN decoder?
A VIN decoder is a tool that you can use to decode a 17-digits character of a Vehicle Identification Number into specific details of the vehicle like its manufacturer, country of origin, and engine type. By writing down the VIN on the form above, a VIN decoder tool can provide you with a vehicle history report; the report will details abo the vehicle’s specifications and past records like accident, auction, sales history, and more.
How do I find my VIN number without my car?
The VIN number can be found in various documents, including:
- Vehicle registration documents
- Bill of sale
- Insurance documents
- Certificate of title
Can a VIN tell you who owns a car?
No, the VIN number cannot tell who owns a car or vehicle. However, a paid tool can help you view past owner records, such as the date of purchase, locations of the previous owner(s), and duration of ownership.
Is there an app to lookup the VIN number?
Yes, we offer a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices that allows users to scan VINs using OCR technology. This tool can decode VINs from various documents instantly and for free.
How to decode a 13 digit vin?
To decode a 13-digit VIN, analyze each character position to uncover details about the vehicle, such as its country of origin, manufacturer, vehicle type, model year, and unique serial number. Alternatively, you can use our online Classic VIN decoder.
What information does a VIN decoder provide?
A VIN decoder provides vehicle specifications tied to the VIN, including year, make, model, trim, engine, drivetrain, body type, and technical details. It helps confirm how the vehicle was originally built.
What if my VIN is less than 17 characters?
If your VIN is less than 17 characters, it usually means the vehicle was built before 1981 and uses a non-standard VIN format. In that case, you can use our classic VIN decoder to view specifications and history correctly.
Is the VIN check really free?
Yes, the VIN check is free for decoding vehicle specifications and basic VIN details. Paid reports are only needed if you want full vehicle history records.
Can I decode a pre-1981 VIN?
Yes, you can decode a pre-1981 VIN, but it requires a classic VIN decoder designed for shorter or non-standard formats. Modern VIN decoders often cannot read those VINs properly.
What if my VIN shows an O or I?
If a VIN appears to show an O or I, it is usually a misread character. VINs never include the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with numbers.
Is personal data in a VIN report legal to show?
Personal data is not included in VIN decoding results or vehicle history reports, and it is not legal for such reports to display private owner information. VIN-based reports only show vehicle-related data, such as specifications, title events, accidents, recalls, or usage records.
Are free VIN decoders reliable?
Personal data is not included in VIN decoding results or vehicle history reports. Vehicle history reports only show vehicle-related information, which is legal to access.
